Designing for the aging society

2013-07-12 18:14 Dalius G. Ripley 次

Designing for the aging society

Designing for the aging society is becoming a top priority, China's elderly population is growing rapidly while the number of young adults is shrinking. Elderly homes have never been a part of the culture here, so the question of how to approach the design is the topic of discussion.

So much in the senior living world has changed since the first nursing homes were built in the 1950s, particularly in terms of architecture and design.

Aesthetics were not a priority; the environment was typically sterile and focused on efficiency rather than beauty. However in contrast now we have the other extreme where the image is utmost important and the functional needs of the elderly may be over looked.

Striking a balance between the two is the key. An environment where the elderly are feeling happy to stay, and a place which helps with their physical disabilities may it be sight, orientation, movement or other.